Telangana Doctors Protest Over Humiliation of Jagtial Superintendent
Hyderabad:The Telangana Government Teaching Doctors Association organised a black-badge protest in several medical colleges of the state on Saturday.
They were showing solidarity towards superintendent of Jagtial Government Hospital Dr Ramulu, who was recently humiliated and removed from his position by the district administration.
The protesting doctors highlighted that such treatment given to a senior doctor was unacceptable. There have been such instances in the past where senior doctors holding administrative positions have been ill-treated by the district collectors. In one case, the doctor even died of a heart attack.
Keeping in view these previous cases, the doctors wore black-badges at the Gandhi Medical College, Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad, and Government Medical Colleges in Khammam, Sircilla, Jagtiyal, Mahabubabad and Karimnagar.
"The doctor did not take charge of the position by choice. In absence of the additional DME taking charge on time, they handled their responsibilities efficiently for many years without adding any burden to the government. It is deeply troubling that instead of encouraging such talent, the system has chosen to humiliate them. The way some district administrators are managing medical college responsibilities—institutions that the government holds in high regard—is highly disappointing. Decisions taken by individuals in their official capacities should be seen as institutional decisions. Holding them personally accountable in such a manner is detrimental to the system and the morale of the individuals is adversely affected," said associate professor, Gandhi Medical College, Dr Kiran Madhala.
A similar situation occurred with the superintendent of Kothagudem, which tragically led to his death. The doctor passed away five months after he was removed from his post on allegations of financial irregularities, which, according to his wife and fellow doctors, were never proved. The humiliation of senior doctors in Narsampet by the district administration in the past also stirred controversy.In the case of Jagtiyal superintendent, the TTGDA has demanded that the DME must withdraw all allegations made on him and restore his administrative as well as teaching position.
